What Should God’s People Do to Escape the Judgment?
When God Judges
God’s Investigative Judgment for the Living
Prayer Thought:
"Sealed for Eternity: Purity and Vigilance in the Final Judgment"
Those that overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, will be the favored ones who shall receive the seal of the living God.
Those whose hands are not clean, whose hearts are not pure, will not have the seal of the living God.
Those who are planning sin and acting it will be passed by. Only those who, in their attitude before God, are filling the position of those who are repenting and confessing their sins in the great anti-typical day of atonement, will be recognized and marked as worthy of God’s protection. The names of those who are steadfastly looking and waiting and watching for the appearing of their Saviour—more earnestly and wishfully than they who wait for the morning—will be numbered with those who are sealed. {Hvn 90.4}
PURPOSE - To help us understand that the judgment for the Living will be executed by the 6 men, sparing only those marked with a seal on their foreheads (Ezek. 9:1-6)
INTRODUCTION:
Significance for Today:
Literal judgment on the professed people of God, especially relevant to the SDA Church.
EGW Insight:
“Study the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, p. 190)
Study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel.
These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing, and the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them, but who refuse to bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling; will you hear? Will you receive His message? Will you be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be decided for eternity. Letter 106, 1909, pp. 2, 3, 5, 7. (To "The churches in Oakland and Berkeley," September 26,1909.) {1MR 260.2} ( Manuscript Release 1)
The Seal of God: The Key to Protection
Biblical Basis:
Revelation 7:3-4: The sealing of God’s servants to protect them during end-time judgments.
verse 3 -Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
verse 4 -And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Ezekiel 9:4: Those who sigh and cry for the abominations in the church receive the mark of protection.
EGW Insight:
“The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman.” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 216)
Shepherd’s Rod Reflection:
“Only those who mourn for the sins of the church and purify their own lives will escape the judgment of Ezekiel 9.” (SRod, Vol. 1, p. 30)
3 Practical Steps to Escape the Judgment
1. Sigh and Cry for Abominations:
Definition:
Expressing genuine sorrow and concern for sin and apostasy within the church.
Biblical Example:
Ezra 9:3-6: Ezra’s deep grief over Israel’s sins as a model for intercession.
verse 3 -And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.
verse 4 -Then were assembled unto me everyone that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.
verse 5 -And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
verse 6 -And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
EGW Insight:
“Those who receive the pure mark of truth must be distinguished from the world by their purity of character.” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 212)
2. Personal Sanctification:
Call to Holiness:
Maintaining a pure character and separating from sinful practices.
SRod Reflection:
“This sealing message calls for reformation in conduct and faith. Those who reject it will be left without protection.” (SRod, Vol. 2, p. 183)
3. Faithfulness in Worship and Doctrine:
Adherence to God’s Law:
Upholding the Sabbath and all Ten Commandments.
Spiritual Vigilance:
Avoiding complacency and lukewarmness (Revelation 3:16).
EGW Warning:
“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them.” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 214)
The Role of the SDA Church in the Judgment
Corporate Responsibility:
Collective accountability for the church’s spiritual state.
Call for Reform:
God expects the church to align with His will fully, rejecting compromise.
SRod Commentary:
“The slaughter of Ezekiel 9 represents the purification of the church. It is God’s final act to remove unrepentant sinners from among His people.” (SRod, Vol. 1, p. 28)
The Broader Mission: Preparing Others
Evangelistic Duty:
Sharing the message of judgment and the sealing with others.
Courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God's power to save do not come in a moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by the experience of years. By a life of holy endeavor and firm adherence to the right the children of God were sealing their destiny. Beset with temptations without number, they knew they must resist firmly or be conquered.
They felt that they had a great work to do, and at any hour they might be called to lay off their armor; and should they come to the close of life with their work undone, it would be an eternal loss.
They eagerly accepted the light from heaven, as did the first disciples from the lips of Jesus. When those early Christians were exiled to mountains and deserts, when left in dungeons to die with hunger, cold, and torture, when martyrdom seemed the only way out of their distress, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, who was crucified for them. Their worthy example will be a comfort and encouragement to the people of God who will be brought into the time of trouble such as never was. {5T 213.1}
Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed.
There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master's will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works.
These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart. {5T 213.2}
EGW Encouragement:
“Let everyone who professes the name of Christ depart from all iniquity.” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 213)
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Urgency of the Hour:
Ezekiel 9 is a solemn warning to God’s people today.
We are not to spend means unnecessarily, but we must do an extensive work to gather in souls, for time is short. The Lord is coming. He that is to come will come and will not tarry. We are not told the appointed time, but we know that the coming is very near. We have been so backward in giving the real message! Unless we arouse, we can not be saved ourselves, for we have not gained the experience of being workers together with God. We are to be His instrumentalities, His agents. With all the strength of our influence, we are to try to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth. {3MR 290.1}
Final Appeal:
A heartfelt call for personal and corporate revival and reformation.
EGW Reflection:
“It is now time for us to arise and shine, for our light has come.” (Review and Herald, Jan. 11, 1887)
Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost. {5T 214.2}
We are too easily satisfied with our attainments. We feel rich and increased with goods and know not that we are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Now is the time to heed the admonition of the True Witness: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." {5T 214.3}